Don't click that ad! It could be hiding malware
Malware can come from pretty much anywhere nowadays. Just previewing a Word doc could infect your device. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe.
What do you do when you need to find something online? “Just Google it!”
Not so fast. Cybercrooks hide malware in Google Ads that promote popular software. They’re buying ads and getting good at SEO, so their malicious links appear at the top of your search results. Here’s what to look out for.
Enterprising criminals
Cybersecurity company Secureworks found Bumblebee malware in ads promoting apps commonly found on business networks: Zoom, Cisco AnyConnect, ChatGPT and Citrix Workspace.
The malware sneaks into users’ computers when they initiate a download.
Endgame
Once the malware gets into a device, attackers use it to leverage access to other devices on the network.
They deploy tools to scan networks, steal employee credentials and dump sensitive company data. All of this points to one scary outcome: ransomware deployment.
It’s not just business
You may not recognize all these apps, but we’ve been talking about ChatGPT for months! And Zoom became a household name during the start of the pandemic.
Crooks hide malware in lots of ads. YouTube, Facebook, Amazon, Target and Walmart are just some big names that attackers use to get you to click on their malicious links.
Scammers' latest trick: Getting you to open a OneNote document
Cybercriminals have been spreading malware through phishing emails for quite a while. But a new twist is making the rounds catching victims off guard. Instead of using malicious Word docs to spread malware, they have turned their attention to OneNote documents.
Check fraud is skyrocketing - How to protect yourself
Cybercriminals often use sophisticated technology to trick people into giving up their personal details or banking information. But some crooks prefer using older, less technologically advanced methods that still work. Tap or click for more information about an Amazon phishing scheme stealing passwords.
See this one-word subject line in your inbox? It's a phishing scam red flag
Email scams often contain elaborate details to entice you into clicking a link or opening an attachment. Usually, there is some heartfelt backstory to why you must open that document or a severe threat of what will happen if you don’t.
That Zoom invite might be a clever phishing trick - Red flags to watch for
Even though people are returning to work in their offices, video conferencing is still common. We’ve been bitten by the video chat bug and regularly have virtual meetings with coworkers and chat with loved ones and friends through webcams and smartphones.
This text from Apple promising a free iPhone is a scam - don't fall for it
Winning a contest can feel incredible — especially if there’s a fabulous prize attached. And what could be better than winning something as nice as a new Apple gadget like an iPhone or Mac?
Unfortunately, most of the contests you see offering free iPhones, iPads and Macs are scams. The prizes are bait used to hook unsuspecting victims into sharing financial information and personal data. Tap or click here to see the best ways to actually win contests and sweepstakes safely.
Coronavirus scams: Don't click these fast food and free delivery offers
A change in the way we eat is one of the most obvious signs of how COVID-19 has disrupted the world. Instead of gathering together in restaurants, people are now relying on delivery and takeout more than ever.
These options are far safer when it comes to preventing the spread of germs, and contact-free options go a long way in helping to flatten the curve of infection. Tap or click here to see how to properly clean and sanitize your food deliveries.
Don't be fooled: This free Netflix offer is a scam
Those of us in quarantine have plenty of free time to kill. Some folks are spending it keeping up with the news, while others are focusing on the finer things in life: streaming Netflix and binge-watching shows.
Despite the sharp uptick in users, Netflix is still charging existing customers a monthly fee. This flies in the face of other services that are extending freebies during the coronavirus outbreak. Tap or click to see what you can get for free right now.
Hackers prey on coronavirus fears to infect your computer
The spread of the novel coronavirus out of China has shocked the world and led to a rise in travel restrictions, quarantines and paranoia. With cases emerging across the globe, people are rightfully scared about how bad the outbreak could become over the course of the year.